Cuff link



Nov. 15, 1949 B. JQs-r'RAuss CUFE LINK Filed July 2. 1948 FIG. l.

FIG. 4.

FIG. 2.

FIG. 5.

FIG.. 6.

INVENTOR BENJAMIN J. STRAUSS ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 15, v 1949 il; 1 12,488,102. 'I

MTE STATES PATENT:tima

CUFF LINK Benjamin J. Strauss, Los Angeles,V Calif. Application July 2, 194s', serial No. 36,739

2 claims. (o1. 24-:m'

lThis. invention has to do generally with cu links and particularly with a, cuff link provided with a pivotally mounted head adapted normally to holding the cuff link in a shirt cuff. While the invention involved is particularly useful for cuff links, it is contemplated that the same may be usefully applied in other articles and devices where it is desired to pivotally connect two members so that the same can be yieldably held in a selected position.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel cuff link having a pivotally mounted retaining head adapted to stay or remain in adjusted position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pivotal construction for joining two elements in a manner such that they will be yieldably held in any of several selected positions.

Another object is to provide a cuff link construction of the above type of pivotally mounted head in which the working parts are substantially obscured from view.

A still further object is to provide a cuff link embodying a pivotally mounted head with means for releasably holding the head in selected position which is of simple construction having few parts and can be easily manufactured.

These and other objects will be apparent from the drawing and the following description thereof. Referring to the drawing, which is for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a cuff link embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cuff link of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing the retaining. head in another position;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the link as shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 1--1 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the retainer head;

Fig. ment;

Fig. is a perspective view of the shank of the cuff link.

More particularly describing the invention, reference numeral IIJ indicates the ornamental head of the cui link which may take any desired form and, which, for purposes of illustration, has been shown in the form of a circular disc. Extending from the rear side of the head I0 is a 9 is a perspective view of the spring eleshank generally indicated by numerallpl.' The shank comprises two legs l2 joined by a' connecting portion I3 which is attached to the head I0 in any suitable manner as by means of brazing or soldering such as indicated at I4. 'Ihe legs are connected at their outer ends by a bridge generally indicated by numeral I5. The bridge includes a bridging portion I1, which connects the legs and a block-like cam element or portion I8, which is provided with an end cam face I9. The portion I8 of the bridge is of less width than the distance between the two legs I2, with the result that a, space 20 is left between each leg I2 and the portion I8.

The cui link is provided with a retaining head generally denoted by numeral 22. This head is formed to provide side walls 23 and end walls 24, as well as the main wall section 25. Each of the end walls 24 is provided with a recess forming a ledge 21, the ledges receiving the ends of a at spring 28.

The side walls 23 of the retainer head are each provided with an apertured mounting ear 30 and the ears are received in the spaces 2D located between the legs of the shank and the portion I8 of the bridge. A pin 3I serves to pivotally connect the shank and the retainer head. When the parts are assembled, the flat cam surface I 9 of the bridge bears against the spring 28 which is deected slightly as shown in Fig. 6. With this construction it will be apparent that the retainer head will be yieldably held in the position in which it is shown in Figs. l and 6 by the cooperating spring and cam surface on the bridge.

In order to provide for over pivotal movement of the retainer head to facilitate insertion of the cuff link through the button holes of a cuff, the side walls 23 of the retainer head are each provided with a pair of notches 34. Thus when the retainer head is turned from the position in which it is shown in Fig. l to the position of Fig. 3, the notches 34 receive the bridging portion I'I of the bridge as best shown in Fig. '7. When in this position the spring lies along and contacts the side of the bridge and thereby serves to yieldably hold the parts in this position. In this connection, it may be pointed out that the bridge is somewhat thicker at its outer end than at its inner end with the result that the sides of the bridge converge somewhat permitting the retaining head to pivot slightly more than 90, however the bridge may be made the same thickness throughout if desired.

Although the invention has been particularly shown and described, it is contemplated that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. A cuiT link comprising an ornamental head, a shank extending from the head, said shank including a pair of spaced legs connected adjacent their ends by a bridge, said bridge being spaced inwardlyV off' the ends of the legs; and; having a leg bridging portion and. a block-like cam portion*l of less width than the distance between said legs extending toward the end of said legs from said bridging portion and terminating in a flat face..

an elongated hollow retainer head of a Width such that it is receivable between said legs, said' head 15'J having a pair of mounting ears. respectively received between said cam portion ofthe bridge and said legs, a pin pivotally connecting said legsvanda said ears, and a at spring mounted in said retainer headin slightly exed condition and in. en.- gagementwitllksaidcamface..

2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which the width of said retainer head is less than the distance between the legs of the shank and in which the sides of said retainer head are notched to receive the bridging portion of said bridge when the retainer head is turned to lie with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said shank.

BENJAMIN J,f. STRAUSS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 249,760 Hancock et al Nov. 22, 1881 4233841 Visanska Mar. 18, 1890 2,182,502 Salisbury Dec. 5, 1939 20 251971,882 Simpson Apr.. 23-1940 

